Entangled: Crisscross

Chapter 12 - Extremely Profitable!



On the other hand, Sera was already sitting calmly on the chairs reserved for participants. She roamed her gaze around the other participants, reading the rules that were given when they registered. Apparently, Xu Je\'er was actually right. This competition is designed to recruit some talents. There are three levels of competition for this event.

Capture the Flag is a special Cybersecurity competition that was designed to challenge the participants into solving computer security problems. This competition involves hacking into different resources and capturing the flag of their enemies.

Mostly, this competition is done by groups or teams of people.

However, the event today also includes individual contests with Jeopardy-style CTFs.

Basically, the mission of capturing the flag is still the same in the individual contests. However, instead of fighting against a team of other people, the individual participants will fight against a program that was designed to hide the flag. The competition this time was actually much simpler compared to the team competitions on the other side of the hall.

First, fighting against the computer program is easier compared to fighting against people that could easily alter their strategies. Moreover, this individual competition does not include attacking and defending against other teams. What you need to do is finish the task in the least time possible. Then the ranking will be revealed. Only the top twenty will be able to fight for the second level. From there, the top 10 will finally fight in the third level.

This Capture the flag, scavenger hunt style was only the first level of competition. The second level involves a basic programming exercise, and the third was hacking into a server to steal data. Of course, the difficulty of the second and third was higher than the first level.

She eyed the prizes before nodding. The top twenty will receive two thousand RMB each. The top ten will receive Three thousand RMB each. Then, the top three will also receive some monetary prizes. The third place will receive ten thousand, the second place will receive fifteen thousand, and finally, the first place will receive twenty thousand and possible offers from different companies who sponsored the event. Meaning, this competition is extremely profitable!

Of course, Sera wasn\'t planning to work under these companies. This wasn\'t really her target. Her real goal today is to attract the eyes of possible investors! Gaining investors for her business is the best reward that she could get today.

Sera\'s eyes shone as she started eying the number of tech companies that sponsored the event. Aside from Quinn Media, there were also other companies here that she knew. Just having one of these companies support her is enough to start her plans.

"I don\'t understand, this competition is supposed to be for adults. Hey, kid! Why are you here! Are you lost?"

Sera lifted her gaze and looked at the bulky man standing in front of her. What was happening? However, the man\'s next words were enough to inform her that someone was deliberately trying to make trouble for her.

"Little Quan said that you are a good hacker. However, I don\'t believe her. How could a university graduate like you defeat us?"

\'Us?\' Sera\'s gaze shifted towards the people standing behind the big man. She nodded inwardly. It seems that these people were here to fight as a team. What are they doing in this individual arena?

"Do I know you?" Sera asked, her face calm.

"I am sure you have heard of my name before. I called, Feng Xiaotan." The man said, eyebrow lifted as if waiting for her to say something about his name.

"I don\'t know you. Can you move? You are too big, I\'m afraid I won\'t be able to hear the announcement if you continue to stand there."

The man\'s face reddened. How could he miss her point? This small woman just said that his size might be enough to block the sounds. Isn\'t she calling him fat? How could Feng Xiaotan who is also a bodybuilder accept this insult? "You don\'t know me?" he snickered. "Who would have thought that you are this ignorant? Little girl, I suggest you leave this place now."

Sera stared at the man, her gaze placid. She wondered how much did that Yuan Quan paid this man to try and provoke her. Did that woman hope she would fight against a six-footer like this? She looked to her right and left and immediately saw Yuan Quan, standing a few meters away from her. The woman was on her phone, pretending not to notice the current situation.

It seems that the petty Yuan Quan is actually trying to sabotage her to get back to Xu Je\'er? Sera sighed inwardly. These two women are really so childish and naive. "Hey, Security! Someone is trying to hurt me!" Sera\'s voice attracted everyone\'s attention. "This man wanted me to leave this arena because he wanted my seat. There are a lot of vacant seats here, and yet he really wanted my seat and even threatened to hurt me if I don\'t leave. Security, please give me justice!"

Who would have thought that Sera\'s voice would be this loud? Feng Xiaotan\'s eyes widened as she stared at Sera\'s pale face. Earlier, this woman was calm and collected and now, she was showing an extremely pitiful reaction! "I didn\'t hurt her!" he immediately defended herself. However, the current situation was enough to prove Sera\'s point.

In the first place, Sera was a small woman about five feet one or two in height. She was wearing simple clothes and sneakers, her hair was in a simple ponytail, and she wasn\'t wearing any make-up. If one would look at it, she looked like she was in her teens.

Compared to her, Feng Xiaotan was six foot two with really bulky muscles. Behind him were also about five other people who looked mature and obviously older than Sera. With just one look, everyone immediately believed the pitiful party and glared at Feng Xiaotan for bullying a small little miss.

How could Feng Xiaotan endure this injustice? However, before he could say another word and two security personnel were already standing next to them.

"We do not allow bullying in this place. I suggest you find another area to sit and avoid this little lady or I will disqualify you."

How could Feng Xiaotan rebut their words?

"Mr. Security, thank you for your help." Sera bowed, face paled as tears started to stream down her cheeks.

"Aiyo… this little lady had been frightened. No need to bow… No need. Go and arrange a seat for this little one on the VIP at the front. And someone gave her some water and snacks! How could we have someone suffer from bullying?" One of the security immediately said before glaring at Feng Xiaotan. "Another word and your whole team will be suspended from joining all events sponsored by the company! You are lucky, I am in a good mood today and is quite magnanimous or I would have directly banned you from this competition!" The man said and moved his coat, emphasizing the words from the ID that hung on his neck, Quinn Media Head of Security Department.